Research
D-GESS conducts research into the societal challenges and opportunities presented by scientific and technological change. Its focus is on the creation and use of knowledge, the behaviour and learning of individuals, and the design, governance and regulation of social institutions in an increasingly technology-driven world.
Interface of Humanities and Science
As a department at a leading technical university, D-GESS combines fundamental research in the humanities, social and political science with the analysis of scientific and technological developments. In interdisciplinary research projects, D-GESS researchers collaborate with colleagues from the fields of engineering, natural sciences and planning to situate technological innovations within their social context and critically examine their implications.
Strategic Initiatives of ETH Zurich
Research at D-GESS focuses on three key challenges of our time:
Responsible Digital Futures: Investigating the societal implications of digitalisation, artificial intelligence, the data economy, digital regulation and information processing.
Environmental and Resource Challenges: Analysing climate change, sustainability, resource distribution, societal transformation and environmental governance.
Conflict and Conflict Resolution: Investigating conflicts, polarisation, security, crisis management and institutional processes for conflict resolution at local and global levels.
Research across three fundamental societal dimensions
D-GESS’s research examines:
- the creation, dissemination and use of knowledge,
- the behaviour, learning and decision-making processes of individuals,
- governance, regulatory and institutional processes at national and international levels.
Together, these perspectives form the basis for understanding societal responses to scientific and technological change.
Research in dialogue with policy-makers and society
The D-GESS sees itself as a bridge between academia, policy-making and society. Research findings inform policy advice, public debates and international collaborations. Researchers from the department are active in ETH centres and work with public authorities, international organisations and non-governmental organisations to develop evidence-based solutions to societal challenges.
More than 40 per cent third-party funding
D-GESS research projects are financed by ETH Zurich, contributions from the Swiss National Fund (SNF), the ETH’s internal research fund, and by third-party funding, which accounts for more than 40 per cent of overall funding. Research activity generates around 500 publications in internationally renowned academic journals every year.